The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-28
Literary Pes
TEXAR'S REVENGE
BY JULES VERNE.
A Story Of the American Civil War

was, so to speak Impenetrable, for no one knew
the plan of its waterways. II offered thou
sand retreats where prisoners could be mid with
out it being possible to discover any traces Of
them IL James Burbank tried explore its
tangled thckets. there would be time enough to
remove the half breed and child to the penin-
sula. There all chances would be lost
OF recovering them amid the vast regions
which the Floridan pioneers rarely visited, and
the unhealthy plains where only Indians wan
dered.
The forty-ive miles between Candles Bay
and Black creek were quickly covered. About
IL o'clock the boat passed the bend which the
st. Johns makes two hundred yards below the
creek. All that had to be done to find the
entrance to the Iagoon-not easy thing to do
IN the profound darkness which enveoped the
left bank of the river Squambo. though we'll
acquainted with the place, kept off the shore as
much possible. It would have been easier
for him to close in, but the bank was cut
into by number of small creeks bristling with
reeds and other aquatic plants, and he
afraid of running aground. And the tide
was turned he would be in a difficulty were he
to do so. He would have to wait nearly eleven
hours till the tide came back, and how could he
avoid being during that time? There
always good many boats the river. and now
tween Jacksonville and St. Augustine. If the
members of the Burbank family had not per-
ished in the attack on Castle House they would
be sure to begin active search in the morn
ing. and Squambo, stuck on a shoal at the foot
of the bank, would inevitably be seen. 1t would
be dangerous position, and for many reasons it
was better for him to remain in the stream;
even, if necessary, to anchor and wait for the
dawn, when he could be sure of his road.
Suddenly he heard a noise approaching him.
1t was the sound of paddle-wheels. And almost
Immediately moving mass appeared round the
bend of the left bank.
A steamboat was advancing at half speed. In
less than a minute it would be upon them
By gesture Squambo stopped his men, and
with movement OF the rudder turned the boats
head toward the right bank to avoid being
seen.
But the beat had been sighted by the lookout
on board, and she was hailed from the steamer.
SQuambo uttered a terris oath. But he had
to obey.
A moment afterwards he ran alongside the
steamer, which had stopped to wait for him.
Zermah at once rose from her seat. Here was
a chance of safety. Could she not appeal for
help, make herself known, and escape from
Squambol
The Indian arose at the same moment, bowie
knife in hand. With the other hand he caught
hold of by, whom Zermah in vain tried to
snatch from him.
Zone word" he said. land will kill herln
If it had been her own life that was threatened,
Zermah would not have hesitated But as it was
the childs, she was silent.
From the deck of the steamer nothing could
be seen of what was taking place in the boat
The steamer was coming from Picolata where
she had embarked detachment of militia for
Jacksonville, to reinforce the Southern troops
defending the mouth of the river.
An officer leaning the bridge spoke to the
Indian Where you going tot"
"Picolata-"
German took note of the name, although she
knew that Squambo wished to keep secret his
real destination.
Where do you come from7p
Jacksonville"
'Any news there?"
sNon
Nothing about Dupont's hotillap
Nothing"
mo news since the attack on Fernandina and
Fort Clinchl"
None
What was the meaning of the lights we saw,
and the reports we heard while we were at
anchor waiting for the tide to turnl
IAN attack on Candles Bay plantation"
"By the Northerners %
mo. By the Jacksonville militia. The
planter defed the orders of the committee
Right! Right! You mean James Burbank.
the mad Aboltionst
Just So"
What was the result"
II don't know. 1 only saw it as I passed It
looked as though everything was in flames"
A MI faahl0
child's lips. Zermah put her hand on Dy's
mouth, as the Indians fingers felt for her neck
The officer on the bridge heard nothing
''Were the guns in action at Candles Bay7,
81 do not think So"
"Why the three reports that seem to come
from jacksonville"
SIS the st. Johns clear from Picolata to the
BARI"
"Quite clear and you need not trouble your
self about the gunboats"
"All right. Sheer Off"
An order sent to the engine-room and the
steamer resumed her way.
.Can you answer me a question: asked
Squambo.
WHAT" said the officer.
''The night is very dark. I hardly know
where I am"
"Of Black Creek
"Thank you"
The paddle wheels churned the river face and
gradually the steamer disappeared in the night,
leaving behind her a considerable troubling of
the waters
Squambo. left alone in mid stream, sat down
in the canoe and gave the order to resume pad
ding He knew his position, and starboarding
his helm. headed straight for the opening of
Black creek.
That it was to this place of such difficult &C.
cess that the Indian was taking them. Zermah
could no longer doubt. and little good did the
knowledge do her. How could she tell her
master. and how could he succeed in searching
this impenetrable labyrinth At the back of
the creek there not the forests Of Duval
county offering every facility fer evading pur-